McLaren

From Bruce McLaren Motor Racing’s lightweight 1960s racecars and the founding of McLaren Cars in 1985 to McLaren Automotive’s range of super sports-car models today, the British brand has a storied history. The Gordon Murray-designed 1992 McLaren F1 was a high point, but the company was dormant for several years before reinventing itself in 2010 and refocusing on its core values with the launch of its new McLaren car range, starting with the MP4-12C in 2011. In so doing, McLaren announced itself as a direct rival to Ferrari on the road just as it is on the Formula One track. Many McLaren models followed after that and the 2021 McLaren lineup features a comprehensive range of new McLaren sports car variants that have stayed faithful to the automaker’s vision of building innovative, lightweight performance cars that explore new technical solutions and offer an exhilarating driving experience. McLaren vehicles are very exclusive; the cheapest McLaren car costs around $225k, but the point of a McLaren is not to outprice a Ferrari. Instead, its goal is to accelerate, brake, and turn better than a Ferrari. This job is often achieved with aplomb, but McLaren build quality has still been lacking since its reemergence as a road car manufacturer.

McLaren Models

Several of the 2020 McLaren supercar models in the US do not carry over to 2021 and they have been reclassified from the original Sports Series, Super Series, Ultimate Series, GT Series, and hybrid models. There are now three classes - the Supercars, the Ultimate cars, and the GT cars. The 540C, 600LT, 600LT Spider, 620R, and 650S models are no longer available. There will be more hybrids and also fully electric models in McLaren’s future. So while McLaren reintroduced itself as a direct rival to Ferrari, contemporary offerings and future products will aim to forge a new name for the brand as a leader in composite chassis construction and innovative hybrid and electric solutions. Every model at McLaren is about function over form, and although some modern offerings have become prettier, a McLaren’s chief goal is to be an engineer’s delight, not an art piece.

Here are the current McLaren sports cars per series:

• GT. There is currently only one GT model and it’s simply called the McLaren GT. Despite being marketed as a GT with surprisingly ample cargo space, an upmarket interior, lots of space, and many customization options, it still delivers supercar performance. However, infotainment is still lacking smartphone mirroring and, just like other McLarens, limited driver-assistance features are offered. This range will likely be expanded on as interest in more comfortable McLaren offerings increases, but world-beating comfort and exceptional build quality are not McLaren’s forte.
• Supercars: The range of McLaren Supercars have prices between $225,000 and $400,000. There are four models, namely the Artura, 720S, 720S Spider, and 765LT. These models provide a supercar experience that seeks to provide a more lightweight and purist approach than competing mid-range Ferraris and upper-tier Porsches that compete on price. Despite being a hybrid, the newly launched Artura with its bespoke, 671-horsepower, 120-degree V6 powertrain stays true to McLaren’s commitment to lightweight design and weighs only 3,303 pounds. This is an extremely low number for a hybrid and even lighter than the P1. It is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only three seconds and achieve a top speed of 205 mph. With the cars being designed for supercar thrills, owners of McLaren’s Supercars are generally unconcerned with factors such as the unsatisfactory infotainment systems, poor fit and finish, and lack of driver-assistance features. However, the well-judged suspension and class-leading ride/handling balance are major plus points, as are the excellent performance and eye-catching exterior styling.
• Ultimate: The Ultimate cars compete in far more hardcore and rarified, limited-run hypercar arena with prices to match, starting at just under $1,000,000 and extending to well over $2,000,000. Four models occupy this niche and these are the Senna, Senna GTR, Elva, and Speedtail. These cars are notable for their powerful engine options, obtuse styling, unrivaled aerodynamic efficiency, or hypercar track performance, as well as their exclusivity. Similar to hardcore racecars, they are, however, not ideal for daily use, offer little cargo space, and can be difficult to live with. The Speedtail was the first 250-mph McLaren and has been all the rage since the first press photos were released in 2018, showing it in Speedtail Blue.

McLaren Price List

McLaren car prices cover a wide range; the cheapest McLaren costs $225,000 but the highest new McLaren price of around ten times that belongs to one of the newest McLaren supercar models - the Speedtail.

Here are the McLaren car models’ base list pricing, as offered for sale in the USA:

What to Consider Before Buying a McLaren Supercar

McLaren offers a variety of models that share these traits:

Pros

• Eye-catching exterior design
• Outstanding high-speed performance
• Class-leading ride and handling
• Wide variety of sports car types

Cons

• Infotainment systems generally lacking
• Limited driver-assistance features available
• Styling is usually an afterthought and is often generic
• Build quality is generally under par

FAQs About Buying A Car From McLaren

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